Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Hansard source

I have to report that the Deputy Speaker has informed me that last Thursday 27 February the Federation Chamber was adjourned early because of continuing disorder. I understand that, following closure motions moved by members from both the government and the opposition and consequent unresolved questions, the Federation Chamber was suspended. The chair warned members of the consequences if the disorder continued after the suspension. When the meeting was resumed, another closure was moved and the chair adjourned the chamber pursuant to standing orders.

I confirm that, in my view and in the Deputy Speaker's view, these repeated motions were an abuse of forms of the House and were disorderly. On Thursday members deprived themselves of opportunities to make constituency statements to speak on the disaster risk reduction report and on the adjournment debate. When this has happened before, as I've said previously, this reflects poorly on the House. The Federation Chamber is a very innovative thing, but it does rely on the consent of all members if it's going to operate effectively.

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